Measurement system for hand tools

Abstract

A measurement system for measuring hand tools includes a number of instrumented tools and a data collector. The data collector has a processor which can operate in a task analysis mode in which data is received, stored, and processed over a user-determined period of time. A number of different tools with different adaptor configurations can be coupled to a receptacle on the housing of the data collector. The collector has recognition circuitry for determining which type of tool is plugged into the receptacle, and, in response, the processor retrieves parameters needed to process the data and which are related to the recognized tool. The instrumented tools are designed to simulate actual tools used in the work place, and thus have substantially the same size, shape, weight, weight distribution, and feel of actual working models of the tools. The sensors can include strain gages for measuring force and torque, position detectors for measuring hand position, sensors for measuring grip, accelerometers for measuring acceleration of the tools and sensors for measuring an angle of rotation of a tool.